It is a cliche but worth repeating in this context: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”.
In this case, instead of fish, Seet Wai Song and his team from Chef On Wheels hope to teach 85 participants how to run a food and beverage business – for free.
The five-day course, from May 31 to June 4, is worth RM3,000, but is fully sponsored by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRDC). It is part of the government’s National People’s WellBeing and Economic Recovery Package under the National Recovery Plan.
The programme is open to all, including those who recently sat for their SPM examinations.
“It is a hands-on entrepreneurial workshop to upskill Malaysians. It will equip participants with the relevant knowledge to start a food and beverage business,” said Seet, who helped feed those in need during the various Movement Control Orders.
“We believe this initiative will bring enormous benefits to those who hope to be financially independent. We will share some recipes, food costs, and ways to market your products.
“There will also be a talk on hygiene and Covid-19 protocols.
“You only have to attend. We will provide the ingredients and equipment. Once you complete the course, you will receive a certificate,” he added.
Seet said the biggest problem faced by those in the industry was costing. Some do not calculate or factor in the cost of the ingredients that make the dish or the overheads such as rental, electric, and water bills, and staff salaries – resulting in many closing their businesses prematurely.
Seet said besides HRDC, Chef On Wheels will also be assisted by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) and Savvy Oilers. He hopes to take the programme nationwide.
“I have had enquiries from Johor and Sabah. They want me to start similar programmes, as they feel the people would benefit from it,” said Seet, who got the F&B community to help those stricken by the December floods.
“I have been in the food business for a long time and would like to give something back to the community.
“Chef On Wheels is grateful that we get to work with HRDC and MRCS, so that we can contribute.”
Not all heroes wear capes. Some don aprons.
FOUR MILLION RECOVERIES
Two weeks ago, we exceeded four million Covid-19 cases. On Monday, we surpassed four million recoveries.
Until yesterday, the total recoveries stood at 4,113,831 after 136,428 patients were given a clean bill of health in the past seven days.
The number of new cases continues to fall, with 88,134 in the last week, taking the total to 4,307,529. It was the first time since Jan 29-Feb 4 (39,084), that we had fewer than 100,000 cases in a single week.
In the past week, we had 246 deaths, taking the number of fatalities to 35,259.
However, we may see a rise in cases in the coming months with the emergence of the more contagious Omicron XE variant.
According to the World Health Organisation, this variant is 10 per cent more transmissible than Omicron BA.2.
Earlier this week, senior consultant paediatrician and researcher, Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS, said that a new major variant of concern would typically appear every 130-140 days.
He also advised parents to be extra vigilant as Omicron is devastating to children.
Worldwide, there are 497,846,771 cases, and 6,199,282 fatalities.
WHY ONLY NOW?
The deputy health minister and several government officials recently issued statements asking parents to refrain from taking their children to Ramadan bazaars.
This was after Malaysia began its transition to endemicity after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sadly, many adults thought that this was a licence to return to life before Covid-19, but that is not the case.
Those in power should have advised the people about sticking to the established standard operating procedures, and how we should not let our guard down, even with the easing of restrictions.
WALK FOR EDUCATION
Get some exercise and help East Malaysian children get an education with a charity walk by Astro on May 28.
You can buy individual tickets or a family combo. Put on your walking shoes for a good cause.
ON A DIET?
A friend, who is on a diet, sent me this picture via WhatsApp.
TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SANDWICH EVER!
While surfing for recipes, I came across this article. Readers of the Diary would know how much I love bread, so here are some tips for the perfect sandwich.
THE LATE JOHN GARFIELD BLUES
The great John Prine died from complications related to Covid-19 two years ago – April 7, 2020.
In his memory, here is the master singer-songwriter with the melancholic ‘The Late John Garfield Blues’.
The song was originally titled ‘The Late Sunday, Early Monday Morning Blues’. As Prine said, it “was always a weird period”, as many felt apprehensive about going to work or school.
Prine changed the title after noticing television stations played old movies at “that time”, many of which featured actor John Garfield, who acted from 1931 to 1952.
Until next week, stay safe.
